Management of aortic insufficiency with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices: bioprosthetic valve replacement

Abstract

There are several methods for surgical management of aortic insufficiency in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure who are undergoing implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). To date, little is known about the long-term outcome of bioprosthetic valves for aortic insufficiency in patients with continuous flow LVADs. We report on two patients with bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement for aortic insufficiency at the time of HeartMate II LVAD insertion.